Apparatus for the belt-driving of high speed spindles



Sept. 27, 1955 F. HONIG APPARATUS FOR THE BELT-DRIVING OF-HIGH SPEED SPINDLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 24, 1952 Sept. 27, 1955 F. HONIG 2,718,747

APPARATUS FOR THE BELT-DRIVING OF HIGH SPEED SPINDLES Filed May 24, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent APPARATUS FOR THE BELT-DRIV IN G OF HIGH SPEED SPINDLES I Frank Honig, Edgewood, R, 1. Application May 24, 1952, Serial No. 289,743

24Claims. (CI. 57-88) This invention pertains 'toapparatus of the kind where in a plurality of rotary spindles, having their axes substantially parallel are driven at high speeds of from 15,000 to 35,000 R. P. M. Textile machines such as spinning and twisting frames, winders, etc., may be cited as examples of apparatus in which such high speed spindles are employed; One customary way of driving the spindles of such apparatus is by means of an endless belt having a run which, by contact with the peripheral surfaces of the spindle pulleys, imparts rotation to all of the spindles simultaneously and at approximately the same speed. In the more usual type of machine of this character it has been necessary to stop all of the spindles preparatory to the dofling of any completed yarn package, but such a procedure is manifestly uneconomical since it steps all production during the dolfing period. To avoid this difficulty it has been proposed to stop the individual spindle fordofling by applying a brake while the spindle pulley still contacts the driving belt, but this -is very undesirable since the friction thereby created burns the belt so that frequent replacements of the belt become necessary. It has also been proposed to mount individual spindles so that any given spindle may be moved bodily away from the belt so as to cease contact of the spindle pulley with the belt, but this involves the difficulty of supporting the spindle upon a movable part with the requisite steadiness and accuracy of position during the winding operation, a matter which is especially difiicult when the yarn packages are heavy and of large diameter, and driven at high speeds as in winders. It has likewise been proposed to employ individual high frequency electric motors or circulating fluid motors for the several spindles, but the cost of special generating, circulating or converting equipment and the cost of high frequency electrical motors, coupled with the energy loss involved in such conversion or circulation, make such expedients expensive, both in first cost and in subsequent operatingcost.

The present invention is directed to improvements in apparatus of the belt-driven type (which is relatively low in first cost and in operating cost as compared with machines of the individual motor type) having a flexibility as to starting and stopping of individual spindles comparable to that inherent in machines of the individual motor type, but without occasion'ing frictional heating I of the belt or involving excessive power loss through abnormal flexing of the drive belt, and without interfering with the desirable use of self-centering spindles such as are desirable when operating at very high speeds.

In accordance with the present invention each spindle is mounted to rotate in a fixed hearing (or the equivalent) as is customary in apparatus of this type, the bearings being fixedly mounted in the frame, that is to say the bearings are normally fixed in position, or contrasted with arrangements, such as above suggested, in which the bearings for the spindles are supported for bodily motion for adjustment. If desired, and as is customary in .highspeed machines, the spindles may be mounted ice speeds they are self-centering, thus minimizing vibration and wear of the bearings. The invention is applicable to machines wherein there is a row of spindles at opposite sides respectively of the frame and likewise to machines in which spindles are arranged in two or more decks at one or both sides of the frame. an endless drive belt is provided; when there is a row of spindles at each side of the frame a single drive belt is so arranged as to have a spindle-driving run or span for turning the spindles at each side respectively; when more than one deck is employed a single motor atone end of the frame may be arranged to drive all of the belts; or an individual motor may be provided for each respective belt.

Customarily, in belt-driven machines of this kind, the

axes of the spindles at a given side of the frame are all in a vertical plane parallel to the driving run of the belt and during operation the belt constantly contacts the spindle pulleys of the entire series. In accordance with the present invention and in the attainment of its desired objects, the axes of the spindles of a given row are not arranged in a vertical plane parallel to the neutral position of the drive run of the belt but are so located that a line, in a horizontal plane connecting the spindle axes, is a broken line consisting of a series of straight portions or facets, the adjacent facets intersecting at an angle, at a given spindle axis. Such a line, connecting the axes of a series, for instance seven spindles, has the contour of a funicular polygon with its chord or base line facing the drive run of the belt. Considering three adjacent spindles only of the series, their axes lie at the angles of a triangle, here shown as isosceles, Whose apex angle is obtuse and whose base is toward the drive run or span of the belt, the opposite sides of such a triangle constituting What is here referred to as a .zigzag. Usually the base angles of such a triangle will be of the order of 0 22 20 of arc and the height of such a triangle will not ordinarily exceed of an inch. The funicular polygon above referred to may be made up of a group of these zigzags so as to provide a composite zigzag of right-hand declination and another composite zigzag of left-hand declination. With a space of 9.5 inches between adjacent spindle axes, for example, and employing zigzags of the height and having the base angles above suggested, a clearance of of an inch between the drive belt and any spindle pulley of the series may be obtained which is sufficient to stop the drive of any particular spindle; at the same time, the maximum deflection of the drive run of the belt from its neutral or straight line position need not exceed of an inch, even when it is in driving contact with all of the spindle pulleys of the series. Such a deflection in such a length of belt is so little removed from a straight line that no undue wear of the belt or excess power loss is occasioned thereby.

The spindles may be arranged so as to form a plurality of the funicular polygons in longitudinal continuity (if desired, with idler pulleys for guiding the belt at the junctions of said polygons) thus permitting a single belt to drive spindles, more or less, with a maximum deflection of the belt never exceeding of an inch.

With this arrangement, although all of the spindle pulleys of the series may be in driving contact with the belt at one time, it is possible to separate the belt from any tically arranged shaft of a conventional electric motor,

Patented Sept. 27, 1955- For each deck the other end of the endless belt engaging an idler pulley mounted on a slide and tensioned by a spring or any other suitable means so as to hold the drive belt under proper tension, although permitting the drive, run. of the belt to be lengthened in deflecting it from a straight line. for moving it into contact with any one or more of the spindle pulleys. To prevent undue vibration of the belt and tokeep it under control, conventional idler pulleys.

may be arranged at intervals alongthe length of the belt at either its inside or outside face, or both.

With such an arrangement, belt speeds of fromBLOO to 15,000 feet per minute constitute a practical operating range and under such conditions a belt life offrom three to five years may be expected from a wellmade. beltof conventional construction, such as is ordinarily usedin.

machines. of this type. As compared with this, itmay be noted that in prior arrangements, where the spindle is moved bodily toward or from the belt or where the spindle is stopped by the action of a brake while the belt remains in driving contact with the spindle pulley, the belt speed does not ordinarily exceed about 4000 feet per minute and abelt life of about one year is considered good. Thus, as comparedwith usual prior procedures and arrangements, the present invention provides for a greater maximum spindle drive speed and at the same time for an extended life of the drive belt, thus reducing out bodily shift of the axis of the spindle from its normal position. A further object is to provide a machine of the above type having provision for ceasing the frictional contact between a high-speed drive belt and the pulley of any given spindle without disturbing the driving contact between the belt and'any other spindle pulley of the series. A further object is to provide apparatus of the above type wherein the spindles of a series are driven by anendless belt and wherein the drive run of the belt is never deflected to an injurious extent from-a straight line but wherein provision is made for creating driving contactbetween thebelt and any spindle pulley, although each-of the spindles is mounted in, a bearing which is fixedly supported in the frame, A further object is to provide-v apparatus of the above type wherein an endless belt, driven at high lineal speed, is deflectedfrom a straight line thereby to create frictional driving contact between it and any selected spindle pulley of arseries, but.

wherein the maximum angular deflection of the belt from a straight line is so small as to avoid undue waste of power or damageto the belt. A further object is to provide apparatus of the above type wherein the axes-of a series of spindles are arranged in intersecting planes to form a, zigzag arrangement and wherein, although .the spindles are so arranged, nevertheless the maximum deviation of any spindle of the series from a straight line does not require excessive. deviation of the drive belt in order that it may contact the-pulley of any given spindle.- Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be .pointedout in the followingmore detailed description. and by. reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrative of the basic principle underlying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is also a diagram further illustrative of the basic principle;

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement of seven spindles in accordance with the present invention, but- 4- 1 with certain dimensions being very much exaggerated to illustrate the principle of operation;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of a portion of a frame, supporting spaced series of spindles, showing the normal or neutral position of the drive belt with all of the spindles idle;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary-plan view, to larger scale, showing a portion of a frame with four spindles in series, three of the spindles being in drivingicontact with the belt and one being-idle;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, horizontal section through one spindle, to still larger scale, showing a portion of the drive belt and showingthe means-whereby the drive belt may be deflected into contact withthe spindle pulley;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, vertical section, longitudinally of the drive belt, showing in axial section the belt-deflecting pulley; and

Fig. 8 is a view at right anglesto thatofFig. 7, showing the belt in transverse sectionand showingthespindle spaced from the belt in idleposition.

Referringlto Fig. l, threeadjacent spindles 10,-,1-1 and 12 are indicated, geometric lines. I3 and. 14 (in. a horizontal plane) joining the axes. of.' the spindles. 10, 11, and 11, 12', form, with, a line, I5. joining the axes ofspindies 10' and 12, an obtuse isoscelestriangle. However, it is not essentialthatthe baseanglesofi the. trianglebe equal or that the triangle. be isosceles. As hereinafter more fully described',.,the. baseangles 16.. and. 17 of. this triangle are preferably. of'the. order of..0 22' 22." of,

stitute what is hereinafter referred, to.for. convenience as a zigzag, the intermediate.spindle=11. being at-the angle where the facets,.13"and114 intersect. The height 18of this triangle (andof' the zigzag) is small, asabove suggested. A height ofl yieof aninch-isfound ample to provide clearance between .the. drive belt and the spindle pulley, as hereafter described'. Thus,..as respects .the triangle shown-in Fig.1, it may be supposed that the intermediate spindle 11 isidle. (with a. clearance of of an inch between. itand 'theneutral'. position ofa drive belt) while the pulleys of the spindlesrltl. and 12.are in driving contact with the belt.

The simple zigzagof Fig. 1 has rig'htandleft declinations of equal angle, as referred tothe base line 15,.it being understood that .this base line 15will face toward the drive belt. Fig. 2 illustrates. the combination of three such simple zigzags as. that .ofFig. 1.. Thus,.in Fig. 2, the axes of the spindles .10; ,11. and 12are so arranged that geometric lines 13 and'.14.' connecting the axes of spindles .10 and ITandithe axes .of=spindles 11. and-.12. respectively. form the facets ofthe first. simple. zigzag,

but combined with these spindles aretwo others, indi? cated at 19 and 20. The geometric lines 21' and1221connect the axes of spindles.12 and' 19,..and 1 19 and 20 respectively, forming, the facets of a second simple zigzag. whose base line would connect the. spindleslz and 20; the lines l4'c'and 21' form the facets.of a thirdsimple.

zigzag whose base line would connect the spindlesll and19; The compound zigzag,.extending from the spindle 10'to the spindle 19,'ha s a left-hand declination with its -maximum divergence D' from the horizontal line 23 not exceedingi/ v of an inch The.line 22Iwhi'ch con-. meets the spindles 19 and..20'jmay form the first facet of another compound'zigzagtthe remainder of which is not shown) havinga. right-hand declination and which is similar to the zigzag extending fr'om.the. spindle 10.to the spindlev 19, but in reversed'position.

The diagram of Fig. 3 indic'ateeaseries oflsevensuccessive spindles 10," 11, 12,; 19., 20,..24. and 25. respec-. tively.. This diagramisin tended forathepurposeloftillusr tratingthe. basic. principle. and..mode2of-. operationof apparatusaaccording to Tth6.:-;iDV,6I1lIiQDz-, For. illustrativew purposes-the... maximum {deflection .D? iofnthe belt- 1's; very.

greatly exaggerated. In this diagram, the actual driving span orrun of the endless belt is designated by the numeral 26 while the numeral 27 indicates the neutral or inoperative position of the tensioned driving run or span of the belt when no spindles are being driven. For each spindle there is a corresponding belt deflector, these deflectors being designated by the numerals 28 to 34 respectively, These deflectors are individually movable as hereafter described. Idler or guide pulleys 35, 36 and 37, 38 at opposite ends of the series of spindles define theposition of the drivingrun or span of the belt when in its neutral position shown at.27. It may be understood that the drive belt is under resilient tension such as totend to hold the drive run of the belt at the position shown at 27, although permitting the drive run or portions thereof to be displaced laterally from said position. I

The. spindles are mounted to turn in bearings which are fixedly supported by the machine frame, and the axes of the spindles 10, 11, 12 and 19 .(in Fig. 3) are relatively located as in Fig. 2 so that the facet lines 13, 14 and 21 form a compound zigzag of left-hand declination, while the facet lines 22, 39 and 40 form a compound-zigzag of right-hand declination. When all of the deflectors, 28 to 34 inclusive, are inoperative, all of the spindles are stationary and, the drive run of the belt is located, as indicated at 27. This condition of the parts is herein referred to for convenience as the normal condition, that is to say, the non-operative condition of the spindles as contrasted with the condition under which the spindles are turning. However, if, as shown in Fig. 3, by way of example, the deflectors 28, 29 and 34 are moved to operative position, the belt is deflected so th at its driving run contacts the drive pulleys of the spindles 10, 11 and 25 respectively, but still remains out of contactwith the pulleys of any of the other spindles. By allowing any one of the deflectors 28, 29 or 34 to return to its normal inoperative position the drive run of. the belt retracts (by reason of the imposed tension) 's ufficiently to cease contact with the corresponding spindle pulley, thus allowing that spindle to come to res t By adjusting all of the belt deflectors 28 to 34 to operative position, all of the spindles will be driven at the same time.

Inspection of the diagram of Fig. 3 will indicate that the geometric straight lines or facets 13, 14, 21, etc. which connect adjacent spindle axes, collectively form a figure which closely resembles a funicular polygon, the base or chord 'of which faces toward the belt and extends from the spindle to the spindle 25, this polygon being symmetrical with respect to the center spindle 19. The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 3, which includes seven spindles'equally spaced apart, may be considered to constit ute one section of a spinning frame or winder, this section'being repeated throughout the length of the frame as' many'times' as maybe necessary to provide the desired 'number of spindles. adjacent section, idler pulleys such as the pulleys 37 and 38will be provided to determine the position of the ends of the neutral run 27 of the belt.

In Fig. 4 there is diagrammatically illustrated a frame having a series of spindles ,at each side and illustrating a full sectionsuch as indicated in Fig. 3, associated with a second similar section, the left-hand portion only of the latter being shown. In this figure, the spindles 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 2'4and are arranged, as in Fig. 3 to form one section, this section terminating at the idler pulley 37 while at the same side ofthe frame a second section, comprising spindles 100, 101, 102 and 119 joins the first section at the idler pulleys 37. At the opposite side of the frame spindles 50, 51, 52,59, 60, 64 and 65 form a first section which terminates at the, idler pulley 37a while the first spindles 200,201, 202 and 219 of a second section', be'ginning at the idler pulley 37a, extend to the right. Thebjelt passes aboutthe drive pulley 40 at one end At the junction between each permits the belt to be deflected outwardly toward the spindle pulleys by the operation of the deflectors 28, 29,

30, etc.

In Fig. 5 four successive spindles, with their corresponding deflectors and the drive belt 26 are shown to larger scale, these spindles being indicated by the numerals 10, 11, 12 and 19. The deflectors 28,29, 30 and 31 are alike in construction, each being mounted upon a horizontally swinging arm 42 which is mounted to turn about a fixed stud 43 (Figs. 7 and 8) about which a spring 44 is coiled, the parts being so arranged that the spring tends to swing the arm 42 in a counterclockwise direction as indicated in Fig. 5 so as to bring the belt deflector into As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, each deflector preferably comprises a freely operative engagement with the belt.

rotatable pulley 48 turning on antifriction bearings abouta stud 49 carried by the arm 42, and pulley preferably having a radial flange 50 at its lower edge to support the belt 26 when the deflector is in operative, belt-deflecting position.

Each of the spindles, for example the spindle 10 as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, is provided with a drive pulley or whirl 47 and carries a support for a yarn package 46. For each deflector there is provided an actuating device, here shown as a bell crank lever having an arm 51 provided withan actuating handle 53 and which carries a brake shoe 54 which, at times, may contact the spindle 1 drive pulley 47. This bell crank lever is mounted to turn about a vertical stud 52 fixed to the machine frame and has a second arm 55, here shown as provided with an antifriction roll 56 at its end which normally contacts the vertical edge surface 57 of the arm 42. When a deflector is to be held in inoperative or idle position so that its pulley 48 does not contact the belt 26, the actuator arm 51 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 6 where the roll 56 contacts the arm 42 near the free end of the'latter. In this position the pulley 47 is spaced from the adjacent run of the belt 26, a desirable spacing, as above described, being of the order of A of an inch. When in this position the spring 44 urges the brake shoe 54 into contact with the pulley 47, thus assisting in stopping the spindle and in holding the later stationary during the dotting and donning operation. When the spindle is to be restored to operation, the operator seizes the handle 53 and swings the actuator in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 5 and 6, thus moving the roll 56 so that 2 its axis lies to the left of a line passing through the axis of the stud 52 and perpendicular to a line joining the spindle axis and the axis of the stud 52. Thereupon, the

spring 44 becomes effective to continue the movement of the actuator in the same direction and to bring the roll 48 of the deflector into contact with the belt 26, thus moving the belt from the idle position shown in Fig. 6 to the operative position shown in Fig. 5, as respects either of the spindles 10 or 12.

'As above pointed out with respect to the diagram of Fig. 3, it is possible to deflect the drive belt so as to contact any one or all of the spindles of a given section with the drive belt and at will to cease contact between the drive belt and any one of the spindle pulleys, without affecting the driving of the others. When so deflected, the drive span of the belt comprises a succession of relatively short, substantially straight runs, so arranged that the slopes of adjacent runs intersect at an obtuse angle,

the several short runs (with the line 27 representing the neutral position of the belt) defining a figure substantially 1 like; a =funicular'p0lygon; whose: angles represent the-points: oficontacti oi the belt with-corresponding spindle pulleys; While certain idler. pulleys have: been illustrated it" is llQrbfitllIldCl'StOOd that the: arrangement of idler pulleys vand.

their: number may be varied according: to; requirements packages,fonrexampleironrZlto 4upounds, thus requiring; substantial;space-betweenzadjacentspindles. A spacing. of

from. 6,to: ltlrrinches; istusually sutficienttfor'the purpose and'wvith such aspacing'the facet'angle (the angle between lines 13- and115 ,i Fig;-,l").Will usuallybe less than 1 and seldom wuld';=exceedi3. Under many conditions the.

maximum deflection of .thebelt'inany section would not. exceedJAz; inch although,' as; previously stated, A of an.

inch .maybemore usual. In any event this maximum deflection shouldrnot exceedr2. inches inorder to avoid undue, wear of, the belt and. excessive powerv consumption.

Whilethe-actuatonfor eachspindle is. here. shown asmanually operable, itrisr contemplated thatsuch actuator may; be: automatically controlled. by any conventional mechanism such as usually employed in textile machines for:stopping;a: part as theresultof thread breakage. Such amautomaticcontrol maybe especially desirable for'usewith twisting spindles since in such machinesthread breaks occur'very'frequently. Onzthe other hand, when certain moderntypes of spindle are employed, thread'breakage is infrequent and undersuch. circumstances. the. additional costlof aniautomatic stop device may not be warranted;

The axesiof the :deflectorrolls 48 are spaced apart the same distance as-theaxesof the spindles, but preferably the; axis of thejdefiector rollsis locatedv to one side of the axis 'ofthe -spindl'ewhich.it:isto control, as clearly illus tratedinzFigt; 6-, although the ofisetmay be either to the right orleft. As shown lin Figs. S-andl6 (when facing: themachinerfrom the operators position) the axis of the deflector roll ismounted. to-the: left of its respective spindle:-

Thespindlesmayjbe rotated: to produce either S or Z twist .by -reversing-..thedirection of the belt-driving motor: by; the use ,ofa conventional switch,,or otherwise, without requiring any; adjustment of the conventional .yarntakeup (not here-shown).-

While theinvention'is particularly desirable for driving, spindlesat very-high speeds, where the linear speed of'the belt is proport ionatelyhigh, the invention is equallyzapplicable;to;apparatus running-at lower speeds where. it is desired-to stop any one of the spindles independently of the other.

While a desirable embodiment of the invention: has herein been; illustrated ;and described byway ofexample it is to be understood-that.theinvention is broadly applicable to =otherzsituations anduto other than textile machines and that any-and all modifications falling within the scope oftheappended claimsare-to be regarded as included in the invention.

I claim:

1. In-combination with-three spaced spindles having parallel axes, each spindle having; a drive. pulley, each spindleturningain' a fixed bearing, the axis of each spindle being at anangle.ofageometrictriangle whose apex is obtuse,. .a constantly-moving drive belt which does not contact-any of said pulleys, and-inf relation to which all of said spindles are on one side thereof, guide meansnormally guiding the belt to form a substantially rectilinear run, and" means for diverting. said run of the belt into- Iii-combination with a seriesbfspindles, exceeding 75" an'gles=of-'an -:obtuse, geometrical triangle; a. constantly running drive belt=which normally movesin' a path such- I that .it does not'contactanyzofathe pulleys, and'means for deflecting 'themoving: drive belt from' its normal path of;

movement into driving. contact with the pulleyof anyselected -spindle of the series thereby to drive said spindle. 3. In combination in apparatus of the classdescribed,

Whereinrotary spindles, eachprovided'with a-driving-- pulley, turn in spaced bearings which'are fixedly supported" by'the machine frame, thespindleaxes being substantiallyparallel, and wh'erein anendless, constantly moving drive belt has a spindledriving run-extending along theseries'of" drivepulleys, the axes -of the several'spindles being so arrau'ged that the axesof anythree adjacent-spindles are located at the angles of a geometric triangle having an* obtuse apex angle and whose base is toward but normally spacedirom the driving-run of the.belt, the bases-of 'the' several triangles beinginclined relatively to each other-and means for defiectingthe driving run of the beltinto driving contact with the pulley of a spindle locatedat any or all of said angles,

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, further character'- ized in that the. triangle is isosceles with base angles-of" the order of 20 minutes of arc.

5. Apparatus according toclaim 3', further characterized in that the maximum height of the triangle does not substantially exceed /2 inch;

6: Apparatuss according to claim'3', further characterized in that thedistance between the spindleaxis, nearest to the normal position of the driving run of the belt, and thespindle most remote from said run does not substan= tially exceed 2 inches.

7. In combination with aplurality of spaced rotary spindles each' turning in a bearing which is fixedly supported-by the machine frame and each having a driving pulley, the-several spindles being arranged in a series with-their-axes substantially parallel, and so' relatively arranged that geometric lines passing through the several' axes form a series of geometric triangles'whose bases-are inclined relatively to each other, each of the spindles being located at a corner of one of said triangles, an

endless drive belt having a spindle-driving run which does 8. Incombination with a. plurality of spaced'rotary' spindles each turning in a bearing which is fixedly supported by'the machine frame and each having a driving pulley,, the several spindles being arranged in a series with their axes substantially parallel, an endless drive belt having a spindle-driving run which does not normally contact any of the pulleys, means for driving the belt, means for so tensioning. the belt that its drivingrun-may vary in length, and means operative including a movable belt deflector corresponding to each' respective spindle, to create driving contact between said run of the belt and any two selected spindle-driving. pulleys, having other pulleys interveningbetween them, while saidrun. of the belt remains out ofrcontact with said intervening. pulleys.

9. In textile. apparatus wherein spaced'rotary spindles, eachturningin a bearing which is fixedlysupportedby the machine frame and each having a driving pulley, are. arranged in a series. and wherein an endless, constantly moving'beltihas a driving span extending along said'series t but normally spaced from all" of the spindle driving. pulleys, the axis of each spindle being at the apex ofa triangle whose'apex. angle is obtuserand whose base angles;

are'ot th'ezorder twenty rninutes'of arc, the height of'each triangle'being of'the order of"%3f"'and the bases ofjthe;

several triangles being angula'rl'y disposed relatively to parallel, each turning in a hearing which is fixedly supported by the machine frame and each having a driving pulley, are arranged in a series and wherein an endless,

constantly moving belt has a driving span extending along said series but normally spaced from all of the spindle driving pulleys, said driving span of the belt being of variable length, and a deflector associated with each spindle, the several deflectors being independently actuable, each deflector being operative, when actuated, to form two substantially straight facets in the belt which intersect at the point of engagement of the belt by the deflector, the deflectors being so located that at each intersection of two of said facets the belt makes driving contact with a spindle pulley.

11. In a textile machine of the kind wherein each spindle of a series turns in a bearing fixedly supported by the frame of the machine and wherein each spindle has a drive pulley, the axes of the several spindles being parallel, an endless drive belt having a spindle-driving run, means so tensioning and guiding the belt that its spindledriving run is normally rectilinear, the axes of successive spindles of the series being at different distances from said normally rectilinear run of the belt, the spindle pulleys being normally spaced from the belt, and means operative to deflect the drive run of the belt into driving contact with any selected spindle pulley of the series.

12. In a textile machine of the kind wherein each spindle of a series turns in a bearing fixedly supported by the frame of the machine and wherein each spindle has a drive pulley, the axes of the several spindles being parallel, an endless drive belt having a spindle-driving run, means so tensioning and guiding the belt that its spindledriving run is normally rectilinear, the axes of successive spindles of the series being at different distances from said normally rectilinear run of the belt, the axis of each spindle being at the apex of a geometric triangle whose apex angle is obtuse, the bases of the several triangles being inclined relatively to each other, the relative distances being such that the drive run of the belt may be deflected into driving contact with the pulley of any selected spindle without contacting it with any other pulley, and means for deflecting the belt.

13. 'In a textile apparatus wherein each of a series of spindles turns in a bearing which is fixedly supported by the machine frame, each spindle having a drive pulley, the axes of the several spindles being parallel, the series being divided into sections in each of which the axes of successive spindles are located first at progressively increasing and then at progressively decreasing distances from a line joining the axes of the endmost spindles of the section, an endless belt for driving the spindles, guide means at the end of each section tending to hold a drive run of the belt in a straight line which is spaced from the nearest spindle, and means for deflecting the belt into driving contact with any selected one or ones of said drive pulleys.

14. In a textile machine of the kind wherein each spindle of a series turns in a bearing fixedly supported by the frame of the machine and wherein each spindle has a drive pulley, the axes of the several spindles being parallel, an endless drive belt having a spindle-driving run, means so tensioning and guiding the belt that its spindle-driving run is normally rectilinear, the axes of successive spindles of the series being at different distances from said normally rectilinear run of the belt, the minimum distance between a drive pulley and the rectilinear run of the belt being of the order of of an inch and the maximum distance between any drive pulley and said rectilinear run of the belt not exceeding 2 inches, and means operative to deflect the belt into driving contact with any selected pulley of the series.

15. In a textile machine of the kind wherein each spindle of a series turns in a bearing fixedly supported by the frame of the machine and wherein each spindle has a drive pulley, the axes of the several spindles being'parallel, an endless drive belt having a spindle-driving run means so tensioning and guiding the belt that its spindles driving run is normally rectilinear, the axes of successive spindles of the series being at different distancestfrorn said normally rectilinear run of the belt, the minimum distancev between the first drive pulley of the series and the rectilinear run of the belt being not less than of an inch,

the successive, pulleys of the series being at progressively increasing distances from said rectilinear run ofthe belt untila maximum distance not exceeding 2 inches is reached, further successive pulleys of the series then being located at progressively decreasing distances from the rectilinear run of the belt until the last pulley of theseries is at a distance not less than of an inch.

16. In a textile machine of the kind wherein each spindle of a series turns in a bearing fixedly supported by the frame of the machine and wherein each spindle has a drive pulley, the axes of the several spindles being parallel, a single endless belt for driving the spindles of the series, means so guiding and tensioning the belt that it does not normally contact any of the spindle pulleys, and. means for deflecting the belt into operative contact with i any selected pulley of the series.

17. In combination with a plurality of spaced rotary spindles each turning in a bearing which is fixedly supported by the machine frame and each having a driving 7 pulley, the several spindles being arranged in a series with their axes substantially parallel, an endless drive belt having a spindle-driving run which is normally spaced from all of the drive pulleys, means for driving the belt, means for so tensioning the belt that its driving run may vary in length, and means operative to deflect the driving run of the belt from its normal course to create driving contact between it and any selected one or ones of the spindledriving pulleys, the tension on the belt being suflicient to keep it out of contact with all pulleys except those selected.

18. In combination in apparatus of the class described, wherein rotary spindles, each provided with a driving pulley, turn in spaced bearings which are fixedly supported by the machine frame, the spindle axes being substantially parallel and wherein an endless, constantly moving drive belt has a spindle driving run extending along the series of drive pulleys, the axes of the several spindles being located respectively at the angles of a funicular polygon, the chord of said polygon facing the driving run of the belt, and a spindle deflector associated with each respective spindle, each belt deflector being operative individually to deflect a portion of the driving run of the belt into driving engagement with its respective spindle pulley.

19. In a textile machine wherein spaced rotary spindles, each turning in a bearing which is fixedly supported by the machine frame, are arranged in a series, one series at each side of the machine, and wherein an endless drive belt has a driving run extending along and adjacent to each series of spindles, each spindle having a driving pulley for engagement with the belt, the axes of any three adjacent spindles of either series being at the angles of an obtuse isosceles triangle whose base is toward the corresponding drive run of the belt and a deflector associated with each respective spindle, the several deflectors being individually actuable, each deflector being operative to deflect the adjacent driving run of the belt into driving contact with the pulley of the corresponding spindle.

20. In a textile machine wherein spaced rotary spindles, each turning in a bearing which is fixedly supported by the machine frame, are arranged in a series, one series at each age-msg 74 7 side ofi th'e machine and-.wherein an endless drive-belt has a driving run extending along andadjacent to'-eachseriesof spindlesg each spindle-having a drivingpu1leyforen gagement with the belt-,- theaxes ofithe spindles oFeaeh' series being-at the-angles of a funicular polygon =whose chord 'is towardithe corresponding driving run of the belt,

and 'means-;for-deflecting'- either drive run-of the 'belt tocontact any one-or'rnore spindlepulleys of theadjacent series without: engaging ;it with* spindle pulleys of other spindles:

2'1: In'combination in apparatus of the class described, wherein 'a ser-ies of rotary spindles; exceeding three'in nunr ber; each provided wi-thl a driving pulley, turnin spaced bearings which I are fixedl y supported by the machine frame; the-=spindl'e axes being substantially parallel, and wherein an 'endless, c'onstantly--moving drive= belt has a"- ley', turn inz-spacedzbearings; each fixedly supported by the" machinei frame; .the: spindle axes-being substantially par all'el,= and wherein: an endless; constantly moving drive belt has a spindle driving run extending'along theseries'of drivei pulleys, a beltdefiector associated'with each respective =spindle; theseveral belt deflectors beingindependently actuable' to deflect thedriving run of 'thebelt intodriving contact" with acorresponding driving pulley, means nor- 1 2 mally holding-each belt deflector" in inoperative position," andrneans'for=n'roving any selected belt deflector 'into op erative position andfor retaining it in operative position; 23; In com'bination inapparatus-of the class described;

" whereirrrotary spindles; each-provided'with a drivingpul ley; turn-'in spaced bearings each fixedly supported by the" machine frame, the spindle axes-being substantial-1y p aralll} and wherein an'endless constantlymoving drive belt has-a spindle driving-run extendingalong 'theseries of' 10f drive pulleys; thedriving'run ofthe belt being normally substantially rectilinear; the axes of adjacent spindles being' atdiiferent' distances respectively from thenormal 10- cation of 'the-'dr iving' run of the belt; and anindependently" actuabledeflector for-deflecting .the' drivingrun ofthe belt into operative engagement with the driving pulleyof any selected spindle; each deflectorcomprising. a'= support mounted to-swing about an axis parallelto the pulleycontacting face'of thebelt; a b'eIE-Jdeflecting roll carried by" the-suppor-t; a spring urging the support to swing'th'e roll toward the belt; an actuatorfor swinging the support away from-the b'elt'; andaspindl brake associated With'each actuator;

24. In combination a plurality of'spaced spindleswhose axes are parallel; a fixed bearingfor each ofthe several spindles; the axis of eachspindle beingat the apexofa geometric trianglewhose apex-angle is obtuse; theb'ases of'the several triangles beingangularly disposed relatively" toeach other;

ReferencesCitedtin thefile of this .patent FOREIGN PATENTS 7 109,290 Switzerland Mar. 2," 1925 236,546 Great Britain Sept. 27; 1926 352,045 Great Britain July 6, 1931 707,945 France ..c Apr.- 20, 1931 

